Farm Progress Show opens on Tuesday in Decatur – Herald & Review

DECATUR As one of the first visitors to the 2023 Farm Progress Show, New Berlin resident Kevin Bilyeu and a few family members waited for the gates to open before 7 a.m. Tuesday in the dewy fields of Progress City USA in Decatur.

We just want to walk around and see everything, he said about the vendors who are highlighting the latest in ag-related products and technology.

The Farm Progress Show began its three-day run Tuesday with a sizeable crowd throughout the day eager to take in the event.

The family arrived early to beat the crowds. This was their first visit to the international agricultural event. But it wasnt too bad, Bilyeu said. We got right in here.

This year marks the 70th anniversary for the Farm Progress Show.

Matt Jungmann, the national events director for Farm Progress, has been a part of the annual agriculture event since 1995. The weather, crowds and traffic were cooperating with the staff and volunteers by early Tuesday morning, he said.

Everything looks great, Jungmann said. You cant ask for much more.

Decatur hosts the Farm Progress Show every other year, alternating with a permanent site in Boone, Iowa.

A study by the company that owns the Farm Progress Show estimated that the three-day show, which takes two months to prep and several weeks after it ends to tear down, will pump $31 million into the host community's economy through direct and indirect dollars spent by visitors, exhibitors and local suppliers. It's also estimated that 9,000 hotel rooms will be booked in Central Illinois as a result of the show.

The first arriving crowds to the 2023 Farm Progress Show were greeted by several songs from the University of Illinois Marching Band during the opening ceremonies sponsored by the Illinois-based Wyffels Hybrids.

Although the weather has been a concern for farmers throughout the country, Wyffels District Sales Manager Mike Earles had communicated with many local farmers before the Farm Progress Shows opening ceremony and learned their fields were showing positive results.

Our crops have still been up and down for the most part, he said. But walking these fields today, its remarkable to see what these hybrids can do with little to no rain through a crucial part of the growing season.

The annual event is a highlight for the vendors as well.

According to Bill Blakely, Agco media relations and public relations for North America, Farm Progress is an opportunity to meet face-to-face with customers and other vendors.

"It gives us the ability to understand their needs, understand their wants, to provide the kind of products that they want," he said. "It also important for us to talk to our vendors. We've got a lot of meetings taking place here."

Todd Miller arrived early with his mother, Marilyn, to get a golf cart. As a farmer from Niantic, the Millers have attended the Farm Progress Show in the past and know what to expect from the large crowds. And this is close, he said about the nearby venue. I look for new stuff.

And dream about it, his mother added.

The Farm Progress Show is the ideal opportunity for Edwardsville farmer Dan Niemeier to check out the latest agricultural trends. Its just an annual review, he said.

Niemeier also gets reacquainted with others in the business before the fall harvest begins.

This is a connection event, he said. And this is kind of a down-time.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Go here to see the original:

Farm Progress Show opens on Tuesday in Decatur - Herald & Review